Ohio Court Upholds Ban on Flavored Tobacco Sales in Cities, US

A judge in Ohio has ruled that a state law prohibiting cities from enforcing bans on flavored tobacco products is unconstitutional. The decision resulted from a lawsuit filed by over a dozen cities, including Columbus and Cincinnati, challenging the law. While the ruling allows those cities to maintain their bans, it does not apply statewide. The controversial law, which reappeared in the state budget after being initially vetoed in 2022, aimed to prevent municipalities from regulating tobacco and alternative nicotine products. Critics, including anti-tobacco advocates and Governor DeWine, denounced the law as a victory for the tobacco industry, voicing concerns about increased youth addiction to flavored products. The judge’s ruling emphasized that the law infringed upon Ohio’s home rule provision, which grants local governments the authority to enact their ordinances. This development is seen as a significant win for public health advocates and local autonomy in Ohio’s ongoing battle against the tobacco industry’s influence.